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18 October 2012

Supernatural Review - Ep 8.03 Heartache

Review:Supernatural 8.03 HeartacheInteresting fact! 8.03 Heartache was the 150th episode to shoot in season eight and third to air. 8.01 We Need To Talk About Kevin was the 152th episode to shoot but first to air. Either way -- Happy Wednesday!

8.03 Heartache was directed by Jensen Ackles. His father Alan Ackles played Detective Pike. The last time I saw Alan Ackles was in the movie Devour, where he played Jensen's dad, I mean.. Jake Gray's dad. I think Alan's Detective Pike in Heartache was quite commanding, he has the build, the look, the attitude and the voice. It was great to see the Ackles on screen together for Supernatural.

So we have our first filler episode for season eight. It's one of those fillers I don't care so much about the lore. However, I thought it was a good one to do -- the Mayan mythology. Writers and now Consultant Producers, Brad Buckner and Eugenie Ross-Leming also wrote Shut Up, Dr Phil, which involved cupcakes with a bloody beating heart. Looks like they love bloody hearts a lot.

I thought it was an OK episode, not too fast and not to slow. The slow pace is good in a sense that we get to see the state of minds of the brothers. As Sam indicated, right now, they want different things. Sam really doesn't want to do this forever. He wants the simple things in life -- study, organic apples, markets, sunshine and picnic. It is probably the only time we saw a flashback that actually put a smile on Sam's face. There was not bitterness or anger, it was pure one sweet day kinda thing. The Sam and Amelia scene came straight out from a chic flick. But because there is no chic flick moment on Supernatural, Sam won't get to go back to this life, he won't get to study, go to markets and enjoy the picnic on a sunny beautiful day. Sam's been through a lot -- the demon blood, hell and being soulless for a long time. Although Castiel took away his pain, Sam is still damaged, he still has this deep cut on his soul. I think if his time with Amelia did anything at all, it healed his soul.

But he HAD that life, he HAD the one sweet day. Now that Dean is back and they are on a mission, and it is Supernatural afterall, something has to happen to change Sam's mind about staying in the family business. If this is the case, what would it be? -- Dean's convincing speech? Dean dying again? Will they kill off Amelia and make Sam to revenge? Something has to happen! Because right now, Sam looks pretty determine to leave the family business behind. That can't happen because he is half the show. Jeremy Carver was spot on when he spoke about the brothers -- they are maturing and as they mature, they want different things. It's only natural to see the human drama and inner struggle, and the writers always do an amazing job to integrate these elements into Supernatural, making it a very solid drama and so good to watch.

In this episode, we see how healthy and happy Dean was. He wasn't angry, he wasn't on edge, he was just doing his job, he was in the right place. He looked exceptional pretty. Dean is happy to be back, doing what he does best -- driving the Impala across the country, saving people, hunting things, the family business with Sam by his side. And he is happy because he has a touchscreen phone and he downloaded an app! Dean is more than capable to hunt along but he never wanted to. The whole 'Dean doesn't want to hunt alone' theme has been recurring on the show. Remember it was Dean who went to get Sam in The Pilot when John was missing. The one thing that differentiate Dean and Sam with the rest of the hunters is that, they have each other and they fight side by side to hunt things and save people. And to keep the brother dynamic and the bromance, that can't go separate way. So it will be interesting to see how this develops. Again, what will make Sam stay?

I think this is by far the most screen time Jensen has as an actor and director in the same episode. I think he did a good job based on what's given. At least there is nothing awkward about the scenes or directions. It was a good job well done. My favorite Jensen directed episode is still Weekend At Bobby's.

Next week, somebody is gonna get bitten! Here's the description and promo for 8.04 Bitten. This is directed and written by two of my new favorite writers on the show! Robbie Thompson.

AN UNIQUE EPISODE OF SUPERNATURAL — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a bizarre murder in a college town. Close on the tail of their suspect, they bust into an apartment to find two dead bodies and a laptop cued up to some disturbing video footage. The footage begins with Brian (guest star Leigh Parker), Mike (guest star Brandon W. Jones) and Kate (guest star Britni Sheridan) hearing about an unusual animal attack in their town and the rest of the story is revealed through their eyes. Sam and Dean become unknowing participants in a unique student film. Thomas J. Wright directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson.

The trailer looks like a cross between The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity and Supernatural's very own Hell House and Ghostfacers. Speaking of the Facers, I think it's about bloody time they bring back the Ghostfacers!!

Reviews for the next two episodes will be posted much later than usual because I have a man to hug. For the love of Dean, let me use this shot one more time! I just love the white shirt Jensen.

4 comments:

Ok. I really like your review and thought the ep was alright, but I am sick of Sam saying how he 'had something he never had before' or whatever else he was banging on about. Because he had that life before. He had Jess, and the fact he seems (or the writers)to have forgotten that he was going to marry Jess, he was going to make a life with her. I dont know its just annoying.

I totally get what you're saying. Sam's just being Sam. Not that you mentioned it, I think I am reminded about the Thanksgiving and the dog in Dark Side of the Moon. These were his 'happy' memories. And yes, it's either the writers or Sam has forgotten about Jess or at least for some reasons omit that. Jess only returns as an illusion of Lucifer. Wish there are more happy memories of Jess.

I really liked this episode of Supernatural and the promo for next week looks incredible! I think what Sam is saying about having something he never had before was just a chance to get out of hunting completely, but that was taken away from him. I finally got my coworkers at DISH to start watching Supernatural recently, but they need to catch up and see how the first few episodes of season 8 have gone. This is an incredible season, so I’m recording every episode with my Hopper, so that they can watch them all as soon as they catch up. I can’t wait to see what happens next week, especially knowing how it looks, but I can’t help but wonder where this season will end up going with the boys!